THE BEN YAFFE MEMORIAL FUND
The Ben Yaffe Memorial Fund has been established to help the youth in our community, specifically in the White Rock and Diamond Hill areas. The Y is committed developing strong leadership skills in a safe environment. The fund will help families in these areas enjoy all that the YMCA has to offer at a reduced membership rate through our scholarship and financial aid process.
Donations to the Ben Yaffe Memorial Fund will be used to support two other programs at the Downtown YMCA. Through the IRON Lives program, which is implemented in various schools in Lynchburg City, Amherst County, and Bedford County, middle school students will have the opportunity to learn lifesaving swim skills through the Y’s lifeguarding classes. Upon completion of this training, students can become certified lifeguards and potentially work as a lifeguard at the YMCA.
Additionally, the Ben Yaffe Memorial Fund will support the VA Prep Program, which enables youth in the area that are not Y members to use the Downtown YMCA gym for basketball practice and play. This fund gives youth the opportunity to play a sport within a safe and caring environment.
When making a donation please make your donation in memory of Ben Yaffe.
About Ben Yaffe
Ben Yaffe was a life-long resident of the Lynchburg area. He was raised by his single mother and grandmother in the White Rock and Diamond Hill area of Lynchburg and was a 1965 graduate of E.C. Glass High School. He always attributed the local church and the downtown YMCA for helping him stay on the path to success.
After graduating from the Medical College of Virginia and serving in the U.S. Navy, he served the Lynchburg community as a pharmacist for over 40 years. He often swam laps at the downtown YMCA on his lunch break. Always active, his life changed dramatically after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. He participated in movement classes at the Jamerson Family YMCA in Wyndhurst until he was no longer able to attend.
With the YMCA playing such a big role in Ben’s life, from a young age until his last active years, his family felt it appropriate to establish a memorial fund that would help other young people from the White Rock or Diamond Hill area get connected with the Downtown YMCA.
Ben had one daughter and one son with his wife of 52 years and three grandchildren. He passed away September 26, 2021.